#51 The Tide in Maine to Ring Out 2013

I did say the blog would live on and this was a memorable swim event for the journey to continue.

The Tide had their annual trip to Maine and I was asked to help chaperone.  The destination was Bowdoin College for a dual meet against Greeley High School and a Pentathlon meet the second day. We traveled by motor coach with 46 high school kids and the silliness inherent with that. Most notable was solo rendition of White Christmas by one of the boys. The a Bowdoin pool and field house are nice and as expected the Tide won the meet handily.

The Pentathlon meet was a new format for myself and the team. In the pentathlon you do a 100 of each stroke and finish with a 200IM and those with the lowest cumulative time wins. The meet was for high school kids, USA Swimming kids and masters. I told Coach Valz what the heck enter me. As it turned out there were only two masters-yours truly and a wicked fast 26 year old also a Weston coach. The heats are by seed time and mixed with boys and girls of all ages. As you can imagine I looked quite funny up there amongst the kids. It was the first time in many many years I had actually raced in these events.

So here are my results:

100fly 1:08.12

100back 1:11.81

100breast 1:13.31

100 free 58.33

200IM 2:35.01 (I thought it was 2:34.84)

A couple of interesting tidbits 

-100 free: I was in the same heat as Sean (15) who is basically a freestyle skier but a diver and an occasional swimmer for the team. He is actually a good swimmer but doesn't like it and doesn't train that much. He is darn good for about a 50. Well,the announcer says over the PA it's a race between father and son "let's see who wins". Not ideal, Sean and I had enough back and forth already and I didn't need the extra pressure. He swam a 57.95 and I was a 58.33. He beat me but age adjusted I think I won. Apparently, the announcer commentated the whole race.

-200 IM: I miseeded myself with a 3:00! My high school kids very nicely pointed out that the average age of the heat was 11 years old-and with me in the heat the average age was 15!!! The kid next to me came only up to my waist-seriously. I won by at least 30 seconds-very embarrassing.

-Sean won 3 of 5 events vs me. I crushed him in the 100 br, and we were a few seconds off in the other events. It was very, very close with respect to the lowest cumulative time but I eked it out the win 706.58 versus 706.65. Very lucky.

We had a fun time going back and forth with it. Very fun to compete with each other. Sean is a tough competitor.

After the meet we went to Sugarloaf, ME for a few days of skiing. I was so bushed the first night I sent the family out to dinner and I went to bed. We had a good time despite the cold and Sean's and my bi-annual visit with the ski patrol (nothing serious).

2013 was an awesome year! Looking forward to all that 2014 has to offer!!! 

I am blessed by family, friends and opportunity!

100x100's with the Tide during Christmas Break.

It's the journey...not the destination.

We've all heard the above truism in the past reminding us to enjoy the moment as we strive for a goal and that sometimes what we learn on the journey could be more valuable than the goal itself.

This certainly holds true in my journey to swim in 50 different pools in one year. It sounded like a fun birthday project to celebrate turning 50 but it was so much more...

Here are the numbers; I swam in 50 different pools, in 4 different countries, in 16 states and swam nearly 110,000 yards in 353 days!!! 

But it was more than just the numbers...

I went to foreign countries (Morrocco, Canada, Turkey) and experienced new and different cultures. I planned and researched travel to find new and unique pools. Who would have ever thought there would be a beautiful 50 meter pool on a small island in the Sea of Marmara or one in the middle of the Bosphorus Strait. I had to beg and plead to get into some pools notably in Turkey and Santa Barbara. I was even given my first senior discount along the way (ugh).

Most importantly, was that family and friends were involved and supported me along the way. I had an awesome trip to Turkey with my nephew Spencer, Dad and Bill joined me for the grand finale, Shannon swam with me (yes, you read that correctly) the kids encouraged and indulged me and my wonderful friends encouraged me, got me into pools and provided new ideas and suggestions. 

And yes, I enjoyed detailing my adventure on my pool spreadsheet and this silly little blog read by small number of family and friends that are bored or are insomniacs.

Since I have had so much fun this last 353 days I see no reason to stop chronicling new pools and swimming adventures both near and far so...the blog will live on!

Yes-it is all about the journey and I am looking forward to where it will take me next!!!

Pool #1

Pool #50

#49 & #50 The Finale...Santa Barbara Bound!

A good friend told me I shouldn't end this 50th Birthday Celebration project with a run of the mill YMCA or community indoor swimming pool but to go out-BIG!

I took his advice and decided to cap this adventure off in Santa Barbara at two of my most favorite pools. To make it extra special Dad and Bill made the journey from Portland and Denver to be part of this journey. We did it right by staying at the Four Seasons Biltmore making it a combination "boys trip" and Christmas party. 

The first pool (#49) to tackle was a community pool, Los Banos Del Mar located by the Santa Barbara Harbor. It's a great outdoor long course pool built 50 years ago (kinda ironic) where you can see the sunrise over the mountains and boat basin. I have swam at this pool a few times in the past and was able to swim yet again with the Santa Barbara Masters morning crowd. It was a good workout and I recognized a handful of guys from past visits. Such a great feeling to swim outdoors!

After breakfast at the Cajun Kitchen it was time for a little culture at the Santa Barbara Mission. We took a self guided and learned of the important role the Franciscan friars had in the early history of California. We then knocked around State Street checking out old haunts. Late afternoon found us enjoying the luxury and holiday atmosphere of the Four Seasons in Montecito. To fuel up for the final pool the next morning we went to Los Arroyos for Mexican food and margaritas. 

The grand finale and 50th pool was the historic private Coral Casino Beach & Cabana Club that sits on Butterfly Beach in Montectio. While I've had the opportunity to swim here in the past, every time I go I am blown away by this awesome outdoor 50 meter pool that's literally steps from the Pacific. Bill joined me for this swim and dad was there as the photographer and videographer to memorialize the occasion. 

We capped our easy going workout off with a 50 fly (37 sec) followed by a jacuzzi overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Always thinking and one step ahead of the game, Bill thought the event wouldn't be complete without a dip in the chilly ocean. Speedo-clad we jumped in the ocean with the hoots and hollering of a bunch of surfer girls (in wetsuits) paddling past us out to the break. 

Two awesome outdoor pools in beautiful Santa Barbara in two days with Dad and Bill I can't think of any better way to put a bow on this 50th Birthday project!

Looking forward to the next trip and many more swims in Santa Barbara!

Mission accomplished and ONWARD!

#48 Thanksgiving Weekend Swim

We had a great Thanksgiving weekend Holiday. There was a lot of food and catching up with kids. Ryan, came home from USC and Jessica took the train up from NYU. We enjoyed listening to stories about early college life. We also got to visit with Tommy, Alden, and Katie. Everyone was having completely different experiences and they all seemed to be loving it.

I was clearly lacking from an exercising perspective. The weather was too cold to go outside or I was just plain lazy and didn't workout.

Today however was the exception as I knew I needed to kick it in to gear as we start the week. #48 was at the Boston Sports Club in Waltham where I got to swim with Shannon. It was the third time we have had the chance to swim together on this journey. We even split a lane! She is getting better every time we swim with each other.

It's one of the nicer health club pools. The water was a bit warm and it's a 25 meter pool. I swam 2000 meters.

This time of year I am reminded of the many things I have to be thankful for; my family, my friends, my health and a loving patient wife and kids.  I am also thankful that the next (and last )two pools will be outdoor pools in...stayed tuned. They will be good ones!